Council votes to increase salaries

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PENDLETON — The Pendleton Town Council passed its 2017 salary ordinance Thursday, Dec. 8, increasing pay by 2 percent across the board for town employees.

Town pay has been discussed at several recent council meetings, with members seeking more details about pay in other towns; they have said in the future they want salaries in Pendleton to measure up with those in other communities, if possible.

“We don’t want to be the 20-year-old Chevrolet, but we don’t want to be the late-model Cadillac, either,” town council President Bob Jones said during the meeting.

He said previously the goal is to treat employees fairly, professionally and appropriately.

Some of the 2017 maximum pay rates for positions include $32.33 for assistant planning director, $21.75 per hour for utility office manager and $34.33 per hour for the director of public works.

Some salary positions based on 26 annual pays are town manager at a maximum of $3,378 per pay and police chief at $2,319 per pay.

At the lower end, a starting street department equipment operator will earn $11.33 per hour; a first-year apprentice lineman in the electric department is paid $17 to $20 per hour.

Council members unanimously passed the ordinance,  which does not include an increase for elected officials.

While the council reviewed some comparative pay information gathered by town attorney Alex Intermill, some council members said they must ensure the figures they were comparing included all forms of compensation, such as the value of health care plans and any other benefits included in pay packages.

At the same time, Clerk-Treasurer Virgil Mabrey cautioned the council to look at and factor in “unfunded liabilities” while considering new pay levels.

He said the town should be sure to consider the number of people who may retire in the near future, and the town’s commitment to paying for health insurance for those people until they’re 65; the town will be paying health insurance for those retirees and the people who replace them.

Mabrey also noted that any change must be affordable not only now but also in the future.

“You have to be able to sustain whatever you do, and pay for whatever you have,” he said.

Councilman Chad Wolfe and other members agreed with this and said the town will proceed with gathering data.

“Let’s get some real numbers,” Wolfe said.

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